Physically Extended Virtual Reality (PEVR) as a New Concept in Railway Driver Training

Abstract

The objective of this article is to describe a new concept of using Physically Extended Virtual Reality (PEVR) for simulation-based railway driver training. The concept is based on an initial, pilot version presented at the InnoTrans railway fair in 2016. Since that time the device has been developed further which resulted in the addition of new significant functionalities. This has been driven in part by the results of surveys performed during the fairs, which measured user experience and where one of the most common complaints concerned the lack of immersion. The new version has been presented at the InnoTrans 2018 and another similar survey was performed in order to obtain comparable data for both versions of the device. The comparative results of those surveys are described and analysed in order to obtain better understanding about the quality of the proposed solution and possible improvements. An additional User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) was used to determine the participants’ perception of the PEVR railway simulator. Possible improvements and extensions of this research are proposed that could further the understanding of how to develop better and more immersive training solutions for railway drivers.